"On behalf of Formula One, Mercedes and all the other teams, I would only welcome it if Bernie can concentrate on Formula One and together with the teams solve the existing problems," the newspaper quoted three-time F1 champion and Mercedes team chairman Lauda as saying. “If Bernie stops, it would have been a disaster for Formula One. He has built everything up over three decades and is the only one who knows everything -- the business, the details of the teams. Everything is in his head.”

A guilty verdict would have seen Ecclestone, F1's chief executive and long-time boss, almost certainly ousted from his position by CVC chief Donald Mackenzie.

"If all the allegations are gone from the table, then Bernie has done everything right," Lauda said. "Then all the speculation ends. Continuity is very important at the top of Formula One for the future.”